Natural Remedy to Rid of Wrinkles

Wrinkles are a natural part of aging. Unfortunately, when we age our skin loses its ability to make collagen, a type of protein that gives skin its smooth and taut surface. With age, the skin loses its resiliency, loses the ability to retain water and the production of natural oils decreases. Thus skin looks dry and wrinkled.
While genes play a part in the aging process, the actions you take determine the speed in which this takes place and the degree of damage it can cause. We can subject ourselves to surgery, laser, Botox or chemical peels to rid ourselves of wrinkles, but these treatments can be expensive. Fortunately, nature has its way of giving us what we need. Following are natural remedies that you can find at home in your bathroom, fridge and cupboard.

Superfoods
Antioxidant-rich foods are touted as superfoods because of their numerous health-promoting benefits, anti-ageing included.

• Dark, leafy greens are rich in vitamin K and zinc, a mineral that helps break down damaged collagen, paving the way for new collagen to form.
• Blueberries, cranberries and strawberries have the beneficial combination of antioxidants and vitamin C, thus effectively protecting collagen from free radical damage.
• Almonds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which help keep the skin healthy and supple, along with vitamin E, which helps protect against the sun’s damaging UV rays.
• Tomatoes contain vitamin C and lycopene, which promotes cardiovascular health, consequently giving you a healthy glow because of the improved blood circulation.

Beneficial oils
Whether you add it to your food or apply it on your skin, these oils supply you with beneficial nutrients that will help keep your skin soft and supple.

• Olive oil
This oil has long been regarded for its beauty and skin care capabilities. Olive oil contains the antioxidants vitamins A and E and polyphenols, all of which help neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals. They also promote skin repair by stimulating cell growth, bringing skin back to a firmer, healthier state.

Olive oil is ideally used as a moisturizer. It penetrates deeply into the skin and forms a protective barrier that traps moisture without clogging the pores. Olive Oil can be used as a nighttime facial moisturizer, skin cleanser an as an exfoliating facial scrub.

• Grape seed oil
Grape seed oil helps to lighten age spots and skin pigments caused by UV rays. Its anti-ageing benefits stem from its high antioxidant and linoleic acid content. It also contains Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins, another group of flavonoid complexes that act as antioxidants and help stabilize Collagen and elastin.

Grape seed oil is light and absorbent. It helps to regulate the skin’s natural oil production, thus making it perfect for oily skin. You can use grape seed oil directly on the skin to diminish stretch marks and saggy skin. Enhance the effectiveness of your facial moisturizer by adding a few drops of grape seed oil.

• Rose hip oil
Rose hip oil has long been lauded for its skin rejuvenating capabilities, ideal for diminishing scars, stretch marks, hyper-pigmentation and age spots. It’s rich in vitamins A and E and essential fatty acids, all of which help to slow down the effects of skin ageing, encourage cell turnover and increase Collagen production.

Rose hip oil easily soaks into the skin and leaves no greasy residue. It’s mild enough to be used for sensitive skin, though it’s not recommended for use on oily or acne prone skin.

• Coconut oil
Coconut oil is rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps fight off the damage caused by free radicals, one of the main causes of skin ageing. It also contains emollient, helping to reduce wrinkles and fine lines that have already set in. A natural skin-softening moisturizer, massage coconut oil into your skin before you go to bed and help diminish wrinkles and fine lines while you sleep.Vitamin and Mineral Supplementation

• Vitamin C
The skin contains high levels of vitamin C, which diminishes as you age. Vitamin C is vital for skin health because of its antioxidant properties and its role in the production of collagen. Taking a daily vitamin C oral supplement can help replenish your body’s vitamin C content, subsequently helping repair the sun’s damaging effect on skin.

• Selenium
Selenium is a trace mineral that acts as an antioxidant. Because it neutralizes the effects of free radicals, selenium can be used as a preemptive wrinkle treatment.

• Copper
Copper is an essential mineral needed in the synthesis of collagen and ellastin. The body needs copper only in trace amounts. Instead of taking oral supplements, use creams containing copper peptides to improve skin clarity and decrease skin damage caused by exposure to the sun, such as fine lines and wrinkles.

Banana Facial Mask
Bananas have numerous benefits for the skin because of its rich antioxidant and phytonutrient content. Here are just some of the benefits it offers:

To use as a face mask, mash one banana and add one teaspoon orange juice and one teaspoon plain yogurt. Leave on face for 15-20 minutes, and then rinse with warm water.

Egg White Mask
Egg whites contain nine essential amino acids, the body’s building blocks for skin and nails. It also contains potassium, which helps retain moisture in cells; magnesium, which helps delay the aging process; and riboflavin, which helps to neutralize the effects of free radicals as well as eliminate toxins from the body.

To use as a mask, separate the white from the yolk then add one teaspoon of fresh lemon juice and ½ teaspoon of honey. Apply on face and leave for 15-20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.